Key figures in the visitor accommodation industry warned on Monday that the Tourist Accommodation Bill now making its way through Parliament, could force the closure of over 6 500 small and micro short-term rental operators, resulting in income losses to ordinary Bajans of more than $300 million next season, Barbados TODAY has learned.
The Mia Mottley administration introduced the bill to the House of Assembly last Tuesday to bring Airbnb, Vrbo and other short-term rentals under strict regulation, with operators facing fines of up to $250 000 if they fail to register, obtain a licence and submit to inspections.
Members of the group, who declined to be identified for fear of recriminations, said they have launched an online petition to Prime Minister Mottley and Minister of Tourism Ian Gooding-Edghill, requesting that the bill be suspended and redrafted. The bill, which passed in the House of Assembly is now before the Senate.
The petition had attracted more than 1 000 signatures up to late Monday. The petition contends that the bill does not sufficiently address the industry’s most pressing issues and risks disproportionately disadvantaging small, locally owned operators, while creating competitive advantages for large international chains.
“We, the undersigned, respectfully urge the Government of Barbados to suspend forward progress on the Tourist Accommodation Bill, 2025 in its current form and to undertake a redrafting process that more effectively addresses the concerns of all stakeholders,” the petition states.
The bill sets out a framework to license, classify and monitor all forms of tourist accommodation. It extends licences from one to two years, introduces universal accessibility requirements for new facilities, and gives existing operators five years to comply or apply for exemptions.
Minister Gooding-Edghill said the legislation was essential to protect Barbados’ tourism product and to ensure safety and consistency in the sector.
Yet, while industry figures say they support the push for standards, they have expressed grave concerns about the bill’s implementation.
The petition continues: “We acknowledge and support the government’s intention to uphold standards in the accommodation sector. High-quality and safe accommodation are vital to maintaining Barbados’ reputation as a premier tourism destination. However, as currently drafted, the bill does not sufficiently address the most pressing issues in the sector and risks disproportionately disadvantaging small and locally owned operators while creating competitive advantages for large international chains.”
The petitioners added: “Recent data shows that over 6 000 short-term rental listings operate across the island, the majority run by small-scale Barbadian owners. These operators contribute significantly to the local economy on a per capita basis compared to international hotel groups.”
The group suggested that, through meaningful consultation, a revised bill can be crafted that balances the government’s objectives with the realities of small operators and the broader economy. Such a process, they said, would help ensure that the final legislation protects Barbados’ tourism reputation while supporting sustainable economic growth and local entrepreneurship.
A property manager who manages several large accommodation properties told Barbados TODAY he does not accept that the bill has anything to do with quality as is suggested by the government.
The manager, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the process currently in place is so robust and strict, that it is self-regulating to the extent that the slightest breach in quality by a host or operator automatically puts them out of business.
He said: “People who book an Airbnb know exactly what they are getting. They are not caught by surprises when they arrive because there are pictures and videos of the properties for them to choose which property they want and there is a very rigorous review process. So, poor quality properties get bad reviews quickly and bad reviews result in no more stays by future visitors. Good reviews result in more visitor stays and repeat guests.
“So this bill has nothing to do with quality standards, those take care of themselves on those platforms. This has to do with money and power and control and the elites wanting to move this money away from the masses and the average Bajan and back into the hands of big rich hotel groups which are 99.99 per cent foreign-owned.”
Minister of Tourism Gooding-Edghill could not be reached for comment.
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb
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